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  Although there are usually less and less Trick-or-Treaters going door to door in neighborhoods these days, there are still plenty of fun activities that include sweet treats.  If you do still get a few of those tricky visitors at your door, be sure to keep your bird safely away from open doors, scary costumes, and boisterous children (and sometimes even the adults). Even if ghosts and goblins aren't coming to your door for some Halloween goodies, if you have kids in your home, they are probably going to bring some treats home from school fall festivals, or trunk or treat gatherings, local retail celebrations, or even other family members who enjoy sharing those sweet treats. Not to mention all the leftover goodies you may have after all the Trick or Treating is done have to go somewhere. It is very important to remember to keep the sweets from becoming birdie treats. Sometimes I hear comments that chocolate must not really be toxic to birds because their bird ate a choc...

It strikes again.  It kills 100%.  It doesn't discriminate between small Canaries, Amazons, Cockatoos, or a large Macaw.  Any size bird is at risk.  It quietly deals death to every single bird in the home.  All birds are dead within minutes, and the pain in the owner's heart may never heal after such a loss.  A true story I've sadly witnessed firsthand.  Her babies, her sweet sweet babies.  She had shared her home with rescued birds for over 30 years, and I had known her for quite a few of those years.  A horrible accident that once again happened because of PTFE.  A simple boiling pot left unattended on a stove.  What is PTFE you ask?  PTFE stands for polytetrafluoroethylene, and it is one of, if not the most, insidious deadly danger to your bird. It's called a silent killer because you can't smell it, you can't detect it with a monitoring device, and you will never know it's killing your bird until it's too late to do anyth...

  As we move into winter temps across the country, warmth is necessary for us and for our birds.   Whether you use electric or gas powered central heat, having an annual checkup of your unit and/or system is a good idea to make sure everything is safe and ready to go. My birds are in a separate sunroom of my home with lots of windows and sometimes it gets a little colder than the other parts of the house at night.  I often add a little extra warmth to my bird room at night with a portable oil filled radiator.  My oil filled radiator is an older model and I have never had any problem with it.  It is plugged into a separate power surge protector for added safety.  A word of caution if you are purchasing a new oil filled radiator heater, before using the first time, I would highly suggest plugging it in outside your bird area and setting on a high heat to burn off any coatings the newer ceramic units may have.  Allow at least 24 hours of use in a v...

Bird Safe Plants and Trees The following plants and trees listed below are considered safe as long as no chemicals or insecticides have been sprayed on them. Sometimes there are plants and trees that appear on both safe and unsafe lists. I have chosen to leave those particular plants and trees off my safe list, as some birds may be more sensitive to those plants and/or trees, making them more dangerous for some birds. I tend to err on the side of caution. Safe Plants and Trees: Aloe African Violet Apple Trees Ash Asparagus Fern Aspen Baby's Tears Bamboo Beech Begonia Birch Birdnest Fern Boston Fern Bougainvillea Butterfly Bush Camellia Chickweed Christmas Cactus Cissus/Kangaroo Vine Citrus trees Coleus Corn Plant Cottonwood Crabapple Crape Myrtle - ( NOTE: not the same as the broadleaf evergreen myrtle, which is NOT safe) Dandelion Dogwood Donkey Tail Dracena Varieties Elm tree Fiddle Leaf Fig Fig Gardenia Grape Ivy Hens and Chickens Jade Plant Kalanchoe Magnolia Maidenhair Fer...

  Trick or Tweet - Happy Halloween! It's really easy to bake up this cute little Halloween Pumpkin Cake for your feathered flock. With fresh carrots, squash, pumpkin, and some blackberries for decoration, this pumpkin can be cooked up and decorated in very little time. This fun Halloween Pumpkin is a yummy Birdie Bread cake so no worries about using sugary regular cake mixes. Gather the following together before you begin: 1 - package of any Bird Bread Mix such as TOP's Organic Bread Mixes or Harrison's Organic Bread Mixes 1 - 16-ounce can of 100% pure pumpkin (not the pumpkin pie filling - just pure pumpkin) 1 - cup of water 2 - large eggs 1  tablespoon Organic Palm Oil for birds (Olive Oil can be substituted for Palm Oil if necessary) 1 - fresh yellow squash 2 - pounds of fresh carrots 1 - small container of fresh blackberries And the end stem of one banana (maybe use the banana fruit to bake up some banana bread too) Now you are ready to begin: In a large mixi...

  Top Ten Bird & Parrot Dangers 1. Dehydration   This most commonly happens when a water bottle malfunctions. If the tube's ball or bearing sticks, or if a bird inserts an object into the tube (such as toy pieces, food items, and the like), the bird may block the tube and no longer have access to drinking water. If an owner doesn't check that all water bottles are working properly every day, it may be days before a problem is noticed.  If you do not use water bottles but instead use bowls, and a bird empties the bowl, especially one that likes to bathe frequently, and the empty dish goes unnoticed, dehydration can result. Some birds can become critically ill within 24 hours of not having water, and may die within 24 hours after that. Water in a bottle or bowl should be checked twice daily. 2. Flighted Birds When a bird is allowed time outside of its cage, it is very important that the environment is completely safe for a flighted bird. If necessary, properly cl...

  Fall is my favorite time of year. The rich colors of the trees and the spicy scent of the air. I love bringing the outdoor crisp smells into my own home. However living with birds makes me always remember to choose safe ways to enjoy the smells of the seasons. You may be bombarded with ads or store displays for scented candles, potpourri, scented pine cones, table top and plug-in air fresheners, and so on and so on, all in order to make a quick easy addition to the scent of fall in your home. BUT WAIT! A BIG TIME WARNING! Those store bought goodies may not always a good choice as they are not always safe to have around your bird and other pets, as well as someone who has breathing issues. Many of these ready-made items use some essential oils and some essential oils can be very toxic to your bird. Don't fret though, because it's so easy to make your own personal fall fragrances that are safe for your birds, other pets, or anyone with breathing issues or asthma. It doesn'...

  National Pet Wellness Month October is National Pet Wellness month and that should include bird wellness as well as dogs and cats. Most Avian Veterinarians recommend twice yearly bird checkups to help you keep your bird as healthy as can be. As birds can be the focus of predatory animals in the wild, it's just natural that birds hide any illness as hard as they can. Sometimes an owner may not see a health issue until the problem is severe. Even very experienced bird people can miss subtle signs sometimes. Healthy bird checkups can help prevent sick bird emergency visits in many cases. These well bird visits also give you and your Avian Veterinarian a chance to discuss diet, weight, and behavioral aspects of your pet bird. If you do not already have an avian vet, now is definitely the time to begin the search for one.  Ask friends, other bird owners, as well as other veterinarians who may treat your other family pets for recommendations and personal experiences. Veterinaria...

  October is National Apple Month October is not just about pumpkin spice and falling leaves; it's also the perfect time to celebrate apples! These versatile fruits are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients that can benefit both humans and our feathered friends.  Choose green, red, golden, or apple colors in-between. There are lots of different tasting apples, and I have found in my own flock that some of my birds prefer red over green, golden over red, and so on. Try them all and find what varieties your bird loves most.   Let's explore the nutritional benefits of apples and how they can be a great addition to a parrot's diet. Apple Nutrition: A Powerhouse of Vitamins and Fiber Apples are a nutritional powerhouse, containing a variety of vitamins and minerals essential for overall health. They are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that boosts the immune system and promotes healthy skin. Additionally, apples are a good source of dietary fib...

  October is Fire Safety Month and it's a great time to evaluate your preparedness for the safety of all family members and any of our beloved pets. Birds are particularly vulnerable in the case of a fire as smoke inhalation can be deadly and happens so quickly, so it is essential to be prepared and take preventive measures to keep them safe. Below are some great tips on fire safety for birds to help you be better prepared for any emergency. Extra Fire Risks for Birds Birds are highly sensitive to smoke and fumes, making them more susceptible to respiratory issues during a fire. In addition, their delicate respiratory systems can be easily overwhelmed by toxic gases released in a fire. It's important to be aware of these risks and take proactive steps to protect your feathered friends. Create an Emergency Plan Developing a comprehensive emergency plan is crucial for ensuring the safety of your birds in case of a fire. This plan should include designated evacuation routes, name ...

  This yummy fall bird muffin is healthy, d elicious, and fun!         INGREDIENTS:        1 package Prepared Bird Bread Mix (such as TOPs or Harrisons bred mixes) 1 large apple, chopped into small pieces **(peel apple & remove seeds before chopping) 1 can 100% pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling which contains sugar) 2 medium or 1 large egg 1 cup water (or use unsweetened apple juice instead of water) 1/2 extra cup water or juice (optional) 2 tablespoons palm-fruit or olive oil Paper cupcake or muffin liners  In a large mixing bowl, pour the package of bird bread mix. Add the eggs, oil and stir thoroughly. Next, add the can of pumpkin to the mixture and stir well. Peel apple (to remove any wax or pesticide residue) and remove any apple seeds as they are toxic. Chop the apple into small pieces. We use our food processor for just a few seconds for quick small pieces. By cutting the apple into smaller pieces, the apple wi...

  Who doesn't just love the smell of cinnamon and spice and everything nice that translates into the fall and holiday season?  Those of us who share our homes with birds though can feel a little left out sometimes. Scented candles, air fresheners, and especially those plug-in fresheners, are totally off limits in our homes. Many, if not all, of these scented items can be deadly to our birds. A general rule of thumb when it comes to candles, potpourri, air sprays, is that the better it smells, the more toxic it probably is for our feathered friends. Our own avian veterinarian has warned us that plug-ins are not only dangerous to our birds but have also been linked to seizures and other health issues in some cats and dogs as well. Some essential oils used in many scented candles and potpourris can be toxic to birds. So how do we join in the fall holiday spirit and spruce up our aromatic indoor smells? It is actually very simple indeed. Gather up some cooking spices such as gr...

Fall harvest time brings an abundance of colors and flavors, as well as nutrition for your bird.  Pumpkins are especially a favorite with mine. Pumpkins and pumpkin seeds are truly a superfood.  H igh in vitamin A, providing calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and other wonderful healthy nutrients, makes pumpkin a winner for your parrot's diet. Check out your grocery store or local farmers market for large pumpkins as well as the smaller edible pumpkins that are great as a whole foraging food for larger birds.  If your bird prefers cooked softer foods, bake the pumpkin in the oven at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes first, and after completely cooling, let your bird's fun begin.  You can also cut the top off and remove all the pumpkin seeds (use the seeds later) for less mess if you prefer. Larger sized pumpkins can be cut open, seeds removed, baked for about 45 minutes, then cut into smaller sizes and placed in freezer bags for lots of future foraging fun....

As we move into winter temps across the country, warmth is necessary for us and for our birds.   If you use electric central heat, having an annual checkout of your unit is a good idea to make sure everything is safe and ready to go. I personally add a little extra warmth to my bird room at night with portable oil filled radiators.  Mine are older heaters and I have never had any problem with them.  However a word of caution if you are purchasing a new one, I would highly suggest plugging it in outside your bird area and setting on a high heat to burn off any coatings the newer ceramic units may have.  I would allow at least 24 hours of use in a vented area before adding to your bird's area.  VERY IMPORTANT!  -  Never use Kerosene heaters around birds as the fumes can be toxic and can kill your bird. My personal research on the use of propane or butane heaters is a little confusing as it seems split 50/50 on yay or nay.  Many avian ...

Although there are usually less and less Trick-or-Treaters going door to door in neighborhoods these days, there are still plenty of fun activities that include sweet treats. However, if you do still get a few of those tricky visitors at your door, be sure to keep your bird safely away from open doors, scary costumes, and boisterous children (and sometimes even the adults). It is very important too to remember to keep the sweets from becoming birdie treats. Sometimes I hear comments that chocolate must not be really toxic to birds because their bird ate a chocolate chip cookie, or some other chocolate treat and was fine. I do cringe when I hear these comments as yes, chocolate really IS toxic.  However not all chocolate is equal.  The dark cocoa found in Dark Chocolate Squares, Bittersweet, and Baker's chocolates are usually the most toxic, as well as also containing caffeine which is also not good for your bird. Chocolate in an...